Recognizing that you may need mental health support is an important first step. But knowing what kind of support you need isn’t always easy. Should you talk to a therapist? Would medication help? What if you need more support than occasional counseling? The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
“People reach out for any number of reasons,” said Anita Menewisch, LPC, Director of Admissions at Oaks Integrated Care. “More times than not, they don’t know exactly what type of services they need. They simply know that they are struggling and need some help, and that’s okay. To be honest, that’s all they really need to know. We can guide them through managing the rest.”
Mental health care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different approaches address different needs, and many people benefit from a combination of services. Understanding some of the different types of mental health support available can help you feel more informed and prepared to take the next step.
Individual Therapy: Working one-on-one with a mental health professional provides a safe, supportive space to explore emotions, understand challenges, develop coping strategies and work toward personal goals. Therapy can help with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties and many other concerns.
Psychiatric Care and Medication Management: For some people, medication can be an important part of managing mental health conditions. A qualified medical professional can evaluate symptoms, discuss treatment options, prescribe medication when appropriate and monitor its effectiveness. Medication is often combined with therapy or other forms of support.
Intensive Outpatient Programs: Some individuals benefit from more frequent or structured care than traditional therapy provides. Intensive outpatient programs typically offer multiple treatment sessions each week while allowing individuals to continue living at home.
Inpatient Mental Health Treatment: When someone is experiencing severe symptoms or a mental health crisis that requires continuous monitoring and support, inpatient treatment may be appropriate. These programs provide 24-hour care in a structured setting, with a focus on stabilization and planning for continued treatment.
Group Therapy and Peer Support: Connecting with others who have similar experiences can help reduce feelings of isolation. Group therapy led by a mental health professional and peer support groups offer opportunities to share experiences and build connections.
Family and Couples Therapy: Mental health challenges can affect relationships. Family and couples therapy can help improve communication and develop healthier ways to navigate challenges together.
How Do You Know Which Type of Support Is Right for You?
The right approach depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing, how they’re affecting your daily life, your personal circumstances and your goals for treatment. A mental health professional can help assess your needs, explain available options and work with you to develop a treatment plan. This collaborative process recognizes that you are an active participant in your care.
It’s also important to look beyond symptoms alone. Access to stable housing, physical health care, transportation, supportive relationships and other basic needs can influence mental health and the type of support that may be most helpful.
And what works for you today may not be what you need six months from now. “The type of support that someone needs can remain stable for a long time, or it could change overnight,” Anita explains. “Someone could have side effects from medication, they could experience additional personal stressors, endure a traumatic event, or have a life change that impacts some of their symptoms, like losing or gaining housing.”
Taking the First Step Toward Support
For many people, the hardest part of seeking mental health care is making that first phone call or appointment. You might feel nervous, overwhelmed, frustrated or unsure how to explain what you’re experiencing.
“Our team is fully present with the individual we are assisting,” Anita shares. “We often think about how we would want someone to treat us, or a loved one, if we were on the other end of the phone call. It’s important to help people feel understood, validated, and confident that they’ve been helped.”
Finding support starts with a conversation. At Oaks Integrated Care, we offer a range of mental health services and can help you explore options based on your individual needs. To learn more, call our Access Center at 1-800-963-3377.
